Nashua mayor to deliver State of the City

NASHUA — Mayor Donnalee Lozeau will read her annual State of the City address to the Board of Aldermen this evening, providing a snapshot of the city's successes and challenges.

"I try to use this speech as an opportunity to tell the people of Nashua where different projects are heading, and every year I share interesting accomplishments from throughout the city," said Lozeau.

.The mayor took extra time last Thursday to finalize her lengthy State of the City address, which typically takes about 30 to 40 minutes.

"I intend to point out some specific people, update residents on the Broad Street Parkway project and various city buildings," she said. "I do get kind of anxious about it because there is such a limited amount of time, and I always want to tell more."..Tonight's speech will take place at 7 p.m. at Nashua City Hall.

On Wednesday morning, Lozeau will be addressing the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce with different topics from her State of the City speech. Instead of reading the speech to chamber members as she typically does, Lozeau is switching things up this year and taking a different approach in an effort to engage the audience..."When I read my State of the City, there often isn't a lot of time for questions and answers. Instead, I will be giving the chamber an opportunity to have more of a discussion with me about their interests and concerns," said Lozeau...For the past several weeks, chamber members have been submitting questions to the mayor, who will try to address as many of those questions as possible, along with answering on-the-spot questions Wednesday morning during a breakfast event at the Courtyard by Marriott..."I had hoped to do this last year, but it just didn't happen in time. I am really looking forward to this new format," said Lozeau.

During last year's State of the City address, Lozeau said Nashua is continuing on a track of great success by embracing new challenges, preparing for the future and working hard as a collective community..."Nashua's continuing story is inspiring in the face of a national economy, and to some extent a state economy, that is reported in dire condition," she said during last year's speech.

By working within a balanced budget, attracting businesses, improving infrastructure, updating capital equipment, providing quality education and protecting citizens, the city is thriving, Lozeau said at the time, adding all of the successes have been possible while keeping the tax burden reasonable..."I feel fortunate to have more than 87,000 fellow citizens from diverse backgrounds who strengthen us with their hard work, education, volunteerism and deep cultural diversity," said the mayor. "… Amazing things can and do happen when people work cooperatively and toward the same goal."..khoughton@newstote.com..